Vacuum cup holding device having improved holding means



Aug; 27, 1963 B. STILLER 3,101,567

VACUUM CUP HOLDING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED HOLDING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 30, 1961 Fla. 3 43 43 43a /5 INVENTOR 42 BENJAM/IV ST/LLER 45 44 F/G- 4 ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1963 B. STILLER 3,101,567

VACUUM CUP HOLDING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED HOLDING MEANS Filed Nov. 50. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill Y4li I A IIIIII III,

INV EN TOR. BE M/AM/N 5 7' lLLER gwmfiuw A T TOR/VE Y 3,101,567 VACUUM CUP HOLDING DEVICE HAVING IMPRGVED HOLDING MEANS Benjamin Stiller, Akron, Ohio, assignor to Quikey Manufactoring Co. Inc, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 156,168 9 Claims. (Cl. 45-28) This invention relates to the art of holding devices, and in particular relates to an article that utilizes vacuum cups for the purpose of suspending a bar of soap or other like articles with respect to a planar surface such as a wall.

In applicants prior United States Patent 2,466,502, there was disclosed a device of this general character wherein a thin sheet of resilient material was provided with a plurality of suction cups that projected from the opposed faces thereof in opposed relationship to each other with one set ofsuch cups securing the device to the wall while the other such set served to suspend the soap with respect to the device per se.

While the device of the aforementioned United States patent has enjoyed wide spread commercial useage, it has, nonetheless, been found to possess certain disadvantages.

Specifically, the device of the aforementioned patent employed an equal number of suction cups on each face so as to make either set of cups utilizable for attachment with respect to either the wall surface or the soap. While this achieved the advantage of versatility, there, nonetheless was a disadvantage in view of the fact that the wall adhering properties were limited to, the configuration of cup required to adhere to the soap. Additionally, and on this point, it has been found that in some instances certain soaps would deform the cups after repeated useage, and the interchangeable use of both surfaces in connection with the soap, accordingly, operated, in some instances, to render the device ineffective for the purpose of adhering the unit to the wall surface. It has been discovered that the aforementioned disadvantages can be obviated by providing one set of cups that is designed for attachment to the wall surface involved and by providing supplemental means that increase the adhering properties of the cups that are provided for this purpose.

Production of an improved soap holding device having the above advantages accordingly becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings. 4

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of apreferred form of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the lines 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a similar sectional view and showing the auxiliary holding means in operation.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG- URE 3 bu-t showing a modified form of the invention.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are similar sectional views respectively showing a modified form of auxiliary holding means in collapsed and adhering positions.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are similar views of modified forms of the invention.

FIGURES 9, l0, and 11 are sectional views of further modifications of the invention.

FIGURES 12 and 13 are further sectional views showing a still fu-trher modification of the invention in nonoperating and operation positions respectively.

United States Patent 0 the purpose of coacting with the cups 14, 14, the flanges "ice FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken on the lines 14- 14 of FIGURE 13.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGURES l to 3 thereof, the improved soap holder, generally designated by the numeral '10, is shown including a flat resilient sheet 11 having. opposed sides 12 and 13 from which a first and second'series of cups 14, 14 and 15, 15 respectively project in opposed relationship, as clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, with the arrangement of cups and base sheet 11 being similar to the arrangement shown in the aforementioned United States Patent 2,466,502.

For the purposeof coacting vw'th certain means to be described, the base sheet 11 is shown as being centrally apertured, as at 16, to receive the offset portion 17a of a rigid flat sheet 17 that is of circular configuration in plan and that is provided with a plurality of apertures 17b, 17b that are located so as to surround the various shanks 14b, 14b of the suction members 14, 14 as clearly shown in the drawings The offset portion 17a is further tapped with threads for the purpose of receiving a threaded bolt 1h with the projecting end 19:: of the bolt engaging against a pressure applying plateZll and with the plate 20 having a series of upturned flanges 21, 21 surrounding the openings 22, 22 thereof. Also, and for 21 and the openings 22- are shown disposed for respective positioning in surrounding relationship to the innermost circle of suction members 14, 14 as clearly shown in the drawings. I

Accordingly, and in use of the device, it is merely necessary that the suction members 14, 14 be applied against a wall surface W, as shown in FIGURE 3 and following such application, it is merely necessary that a screw driver or other appropriate turning instrument be used to turn the bolt 19 so as to advance the projecting end thereof against the pressure applying plate 20. This will separate the plate 20 from the plate 17 and will furtherhave the effect of having the projecting end of the flanged portions 21, 21 applied against the surface 14c of the individual cups 14, 14 inth'e-inner circle of cups, with this condition being clearly illustrated in FIGURE 3..

Such application of-pressure by the flanges 21, 21 will have the effect of further collapsing the innermost circle of cups 1'4, 14 into a flatter relationship with the wall surface so that there will be less air entrapped to accordingly result in a greater vacuum with an attendant increase of the holding power of the cups so effected. Accordingly, it will be noted'that each of the cups in the innermost circle of cups is providing a greater amount'of holding force than is any-cup in the second and third circular series of cups adjacent thereto and uneffected by the aforementioned movements of the plate 20'. r

The result of the foregoing is that the holding power of the individual suction members 14, 14 is materially increased in a localized area so as to accordingly result in an increase inthe overall holding power of the suctron members 14, 14. When it is desired to release the suction, it is merely necessary that the screw 19 be backed otf, whereupon a normal suction will exist with respect to the innermost circle of cups, whereupon the unit can be removed.

- Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided means for increasing the holding power of the individual cups in a localized region so as to, accordingly, increase the overall capacity of the unit to adhere to a wall surface. With regard'to the preferred form of the invention, it is preferred that the base 1-1 and cups 14, 1 4 and 15, 15 be made of rubber or rubbery material, including plastic, so as to have the requisite resiliency for suction adherence as above described. The plates 17 and 20 would be preferably formed of rigid material such as metal or rigid plastic and could if desired be increased in diameter and provided with additional openings so as to surround the second and third circular series of cups instead of just the innermost circle as has been described.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 4 is directed to a construction wherein the overall flexibility of the unit is. enhanced bya construction that eliminates the main support plate 17. Accordingly, in FIGURE 4, the base 40 of the suctionunit employed therein has opposed faces 41 and 42, with cups 43, 43 projecting from the face 41, while cups 44, 44 project from the face 42, as shown in FIGURE 4. Centrally of the resilient integral unit just described, is embedded a sleeve 45 having a flange 45a and being internally threaded to receive the threaded shank of a bolt 46. A pressure applying plate 47 has openings 48 aligned in registry with the necks of the suction cups 43, 43 with the flange portions 49 thereof encircling the same as shown in FIG- URE 4. In this fashion, when the bolt 46 is rotated within the sleeve 45 the pressure applying plate 47 will be separated from the face 41 so that the projecting ends of the sleeves or flanges 4-9, 49 will be applied against the convex surface 43a of the cups 43, 43 to collapse the same and thus increase the holding power of the same with respect to any wall surface.

It will be noted that the construction of FIGURE 4 has the advantage of utilizing a rigid plate 47 only in a localized region thereof, with the result that the overall flexibility of the unit to adapt to curved surfaces, for example, is not impaired as a result of the increased holding power provided by the pressure plate 47 and the means associated therewith as described. Again, the unit 40 is preferably made of rubber or rubbery mate'- rial, including plastic, while the sleeve 45 and plate 47 are formed of rigid material such as metal or hard plastic.

Referring now to the modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES and 6 of the drawings, it will be first noted that the unit 50 thereof includes a resilient support sheet 51 having opposed faces 52 and 53 and further having embedded centrally therein a rigid plate 54 from which projects an integrally threaded stud 55'. Vacuum cups 52a, 52a project from the face 52 in aligned coplanar relationship with each other while a dome-like sheet of semi-rigid material 56 is aligned in registry with the sheet 51 by medium of an aperture 56a thereof being placed in encirclement with the aforementioned stud 55. The main suction portion of the unit is defined by a thin resilient sheet 57 that is apertured and counter-bored as at 57a to receive the flanged head 58a of a sleeve 58, with the sleeve '58 being internally threaded, as at 5812, for coaction with the stud 55 and also being externally threaded, as at 58s, for coaction with a lock nut '59 that serves to clamp the counter-bored portion of the sheet 57 between the flange 58a and the lock nut 59.

In this fashion, it will be noted that as the base 50 and the embedded plate 54- are rotated around the axis of the stud SS-that the sleeve 58 will be drawn towards the base 51, with this condition of component parts being illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. During such movement, the peripheral edge 56b of the rigid or semirigid dome 56 will serve to hold down the peripheral edge of the sheet 57 as shown in FIGURE 6 and, accordingly, following application of the unit 50, in the position of FIGURE 5, to a wall surface, the suction created beneath the retracted sheet 57 will materially increase due to the fact that the volume is being increased, while the pressure is being maintained constant with the overall result that a greater vacuum will occur to provide greater adhering powers to the unit 50. It should be noted in this regard, that due to the fact that the suction of the device 50 is increased by rotation of the base 51 and components associated therewith, that variable amounts of increased suction can be obtained as required. Accordingly,

4 full suction of FIGURE 6 or intermediate degrees of suction can be obtained as required.

As to the material requirements, it is preferred that the base '51 and cups 52a, 52a be of rubber or rubbery material, includingplastic, while the parts 54, 55, 58 and 59 are preferably of metal or other rigid material. The part 56 is preferably of a semi-rigid plastic so as to have a modicum of resiliency, while the part 57 is fully flexible, as indicated previously, and would, accordingly lend itself to be made of rubber or rubbery material, including plastic.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIG- URE 7 is, in many respects, similar to that previously discussed in connection with FIGURES 5 and 6, but employs a different type of actuating mechanism that is designed to produce a simpler type of operation.

Accordingly, the FIGURE 7 modification includes a resilient base sheet 70 having cups 70a, 70a projecting from the face 70b thereof and further has a centrally embedded reinforcing element 71 provided therein as shown in FIGURE 7, with the element 71 including a sleeve portion 71a that is internally threaded as at 711) for coaction with a bolt 72. Additionally and for the purpose of reinforcing the base sheet 70, the element 711 further includes a radially extending flange portion 71c that serves to provide rigidity to the base 70, The element 56 of the type disclosed in FIGURES 5 and 6 is again employed over a sheet 57, which is also identical to the sheet 57 described in FIGURES 5 and 6. The bolt 72 has a head portion 72a that coacts with a threaded nut 73 to firmly secure the sheet 57 with respect to the bolt '72.

Accordingly, and in this fashion, rotation of the base 70 around the axis of bolt 72 will cause the sheet 57 to be drawn upwardly towards the base sheet 70, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, with the semi-rigid dome 56 again having its peripheral edge contacting the periphery of the sheet 57. In this fashion, and as was the case in FIGURES 5 and 6, rotation of the unit 7 0 produces a variable amount of suction pressure that is exerted by the sheet 57 so that variable amounts of holding pressure may be obtained by merely controlling the amount of rotation that is effeotuated.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 8 operates on a similar principle as that previously discussed in connection with FIGURES 5, 6 (and 7 but varies therefrom in that the semi-resilient dome 56 is replaced by a formed suction cup that provides the wall adhering means for this modified form of the invention.

Accordingly, and referring to FIGURE 8, it will be first noted that the base sheet 70 and insert member 71 are identical to the form of the invention shown in FIG- URE 7. The cup 80, however, has a concave inner surface 81 that is offset as at 82 to provide a shoulder 83 against which a pressure plate 84 can operate as shown in the drawings. The plate 84 integrally connects to a threaded bolt 85, with nut 86 holding the bolt 85 with respect to the plate 84, as shown, and with the threaded pontion of the bolt 85 being threadingly engaged with the threaded portion 71b of member 71.

In this fashion, rotation of the base sheet 70 around the axis of bolt 85 will cause the plate 84 to be drawn towards the reinforced base sheet 70 and, as a result of this movement and [the coaction with the shoulder 83, the volume between the plate 84 and the wall surface W will be increased to thus create a larger vacuum. Again, the amount of such vacuum may be regulated by controlling the amount that the reinforced base sheet 70 is rotated with respect to the bolt 85.

With regard to the material employed in this modification, it is preferable that the base sheet 70 and the suction cups associated therewith be integrally molded from rubber or rubbery material, including plastic, while the insert 71 and the plate 84 should be of metal material. The main suction cup 80 is formed of relativeor hard plastic 91 is augmented,

ly rigid rubber and is preferably provided with a rigid insert 87 that facilitates mounting of the cup 80 with respect to the bolt 85.-

The modified forms of the invention shown in FIG- URES 9, 10 and 11 operate on a principle of providing an auxiliary force that will constantly urge the main base sheet away from the wall surface so as to accordingly increase the holding powers thereof.

Accordingly, in FIGURE 9, the base sheet 90 is provided witha peripheral flange 91 that projects from the face 92 in opposed relationship to the suction :cups 93, 93. -Also projecting from the face 92 is a centrally disposed suction cup 94 with the peripheral flange 94a of thiscup preferably being recessed in amount of projection with respect to the plane of the projecting end of the flange 91. In this fashion and when the suction cup 94 is depressed, the peripheral flange 91 will constantly urge the base plate 90 away from the wall so as to increase the vacuum in the area enclosed by the suction cup 94.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES l and 11 is similar to that just described except that the aforementioned pressure exerted by the peripheral flange in the case of FIGURE 10, by acentrally positioned coil spring 100, whilein FIGURE .11 an appropriately contoured flat spring 110 is provided interiorly of the cup 94 for the purpose of urging the base sheet 96 away from the wall surface.

Here again, the preferred form of the invention'in FIGURE 9 would contemplate the use of a one-piece molded rubber or rubbery material, including plastic, while the FIGURE 9 construction would be augmented by the'conventional spring type material in connection with the FIGURE 10 and 1.1 modifications. v

Operation of these modified forms of the invention would merely involve the pressing of the cup surface 94 against the wall, followed by manual depressing of the same to insure full suctional contact. During the period of adherence, the suction would be maintained by the constant forces that operate to urge the unit away from the wall and'thus increase the holding pressures of the suction cup 94. I

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 12 through 14 of the drawings envisions a construction similar to that shown and disucssed in connection with FIGURE 8 of the drawings, wherein variable suction pressures could be obtained by the rotation of a reinforced the construction of FIGURES 12 through 14 differs in that'the same 'is designed I110 be inbase sheet. However,

dexed between 90 degree positions soas to snap into and out of maximum holding position as will now be described.

Thus, .and referring to FIGURE 12,'it will be noted that there is provided a main suction cup 120 having a convex outer surface 121 andya concave inner surface 122, with the inner surface 122 being offset as at 123 to define a shoulder 124 against which a rigid pressure plate 125 may operate. The pressure plate 125 is centrally 'tapped to receive the threaded end 126a of astud member 126 that is rotatably supported with respect to a reinforcing element 127 that isembedded within the base sheet 128 as shown in' FIGURES. 12 and 13. The reinforcing element 127 includes a main central cylinder 127a that has a projecting radial flange 127b embedded between the opposed faces of the base sheet 1 28, and further includes a transverse rib 1270 that is designed to be received either, on top of, or between, molded ribs 121a, 1211) (FIGURE 14) that are provided at the apex of the convex surface 121. In this regard, it should be noted that the rib 1270 is positioned between such ribs 121a and 121b in FIGURE 12, while being positioned on top of the same in the position shown in FIGURE 13 where maximum suction pressure is being obtained.

In operation of this modified form of the invention, it is merely necessary that the cup 120 be applied against the surface involved followed by 90 degree rotation of the base unit 128 and the component parts associated form of the invention, it is'preferred that the cup 120 and base sheet 128, as well as the suction cups 128a, 128a be made of rubber or rubbery material, including plastic. The reinforcing insert 127 together with the stud 126 and pressure plate 125 would, as before, he made of rigid material, such as metal or hard plastic.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments herein shown. I

.Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A soap holder of the ing;

(A) a resilient base of generally flat configuration and having opposed faces;

character described, compris- (B) a first series of suction cups projecting from one said faceof saidresilient base and adapted to support a bar of soapthereon; (C) at least one surface adhering suction cup projecting from said remaining face of said resilient base in opposed relationship to said first series of suction cups and adapted to engage .asm'ooth surface and support said holder with respect thereto;

l (D) and mechanically actuated means carried by said basebetween said opposed cups, and being operable to increase the holding power of said surface engaging cup beyond a normal holding power thereof.

2. The device of claim lfurther characterized by the fact that said means include a resilient flange element projecting from a peripheral edge of said base coextensive face during the period said cup is engaged with said surface in depressed condition.

3. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said mechanicallyjaotuated rn-eans include a pressure applying plate having apertures that surround the shanks of said surface adhering cups; and means for urging said plate away from said base whereby said :apertures will be urged against said cups to flatten the same against said surface.

. 4. A soap holder of the character described, compris- (A) a resilient base of generally flat configuration and having opposed faces;

(B) a first series of suction cups projecting from one said face of said resilient base and adapted to support a bar of soap thereon;

(C) at least one surface adhering suction cup projecting from said remaining face of said resilient base in opposed relationship to said first series of suction cups and adapted to engage a smooth surface and support said holder With respect thereto;

(D) and mechanically actuated means carried by said base operable to increase the holding power of said surface engaging cup beyond the normal holding power thereof; 1

(1) said means including (a) a shaft carried by said base in axially shiftable relationship therewith and having one end secured to a central portion of said surface adhering suction cup; (b) means for shifting said shaft relatively of said base whereby said central portion 7 of said surface adhering cup is drawn towards said base;

(c) and means projecting from said base and tensionally engaging the peripheral edge of said surface adhering cup whereby said peripheral edge thereof is retained in contact with said surface during movement of said central portion towards said base.

5. The device of claim 4 further characterized by the presence of a rigid plate that is:

-(1) supported by said base in non-shifitable relationship therewith, and

(2) that is threadingly engaged with said shaft.

6. A soap holder of the character described, compris- (A) a resilient base of generally flat configuration and having opposed faces;

(B) a first series of suction cups projecting from one said face of said resilient base and adapted to support a bar of soap thereon;

(C) at least one surface adhering suction cup projecting from said remaining face of said resilient base in opposed relationship to said first series of suction cups and adapted to engage a smooth surface and support said holder with respect thereto;

(D) and mechanically actuated means carried by said base operable to increase the holding power of said surface engaging cup beyond the normal holding power thereof;

(1) said means including (a) a shaft carried by said base in axially shiftable relationship therewith;

( b) a circular shoulder defined by the interior surface adhering suction cup and being concentrically disposed adjacent the peripheral edge thereof;

(c) a rigid pressure plate secured to one end 8 of said shaft and having its peripheral edge sea-ted against said shoulder;

(d) and draw means for drawing said plate towards said base whereby the vacuum pressure beneath said plate may be increased.

7. The device of claim 6- further characterized by the fact that said draw means include cam means carried by said surface adhering cup and being engaged by cam follower means carried by said base.

8. The device of claim 6 further characterized by the fact that said draw means includes a threaded connection between said shaft and said base.

9. A soap hoider of the character described, compris- (A) a resilient base of generally flat configuration and having opposed faces;

(B) a first series of suction cups projecting from one said face of said resilient base;

(C) at least one suction cup of larger diameter and greater holding power projecting from said remaining face in opposed relationship to said first series of suction cups;

(D) support means reinforcing said base against dis- 1 tort-ion from said flat configuration;

(E) and -suction increasing means coacting with said support means and to increase the suction forces of said larger diameter suction cup.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS Butler Mar. 26, 1940 2,466,502 Stiller Apr. 5, 1949 2,657,893 Puckert Nov. 3, 1953 2,730,325 Van Dusen et a1 Jan. 10, 1956 2,932,119 Borah Apr. 12, 1960 2,968,888 Borah Jan. 24, 1961 3,029,547

Ross et a1. Apr. 17, 1962 

1. A SOAP HOLDER OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING; (A) A RESILIENT BASE OF GENERALLY FLAT CONFIGURATION AND HAVING OPPOSED FACES; (B) A FIRST SERIES OF SUCTION CUPS PROJECTING FROM ONE SAID FACE OF SAID RESILIENT BASE AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A BAR OF SOAP THEREON; (C) AT LEAST ONE SURFACE ADHERING SUCTION CUP PROJECTING FROM SAID REMAINING FACE OF SAID RESILIENT BASE IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIRST SERIES OF SUCTION CUPS AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A SMOOTH SURFACE AND SUPPORT SAID HOLDER WITH RESPECT THERETO; (D) AND MECHANICALLY ACUTATED MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BASE BETWEEN SAID OPPOSED CUPS, AND BEING OPERABLE TO INCREASE THE HOLDING POWER OF SAID SURFACE ENGAGING CUP BEYOND A NORMAL HOLDING POWER THEREOF. 